If you’ve come across the words “century” and “centurry” and wondered which spelling is correct, you’re not alone. The two words look very similar, but only one is the standard English spelling. Understanding the difference is important when writing about 100 years, historical periods, cricket scores, centuries, dates, and other time-related topics.
The century or centurry question has a simple answer: “century” is the correct spelling, while “centurry” is a misspelling. The correct word century refers to a period of 100 years and can also describe a particular period of history, such as the 21st century. The extra “r” in “centurry” is not part of the standard spelling.
In this guide, you’ll learn whether “century” or “centurry” is correct, what “century” means, why “centurry” is incorrect, and how to use “century” correctly in sentences. You’ll also see clear examples, spelling tips, and common mistakes to help you remember the correct form.
By the end, you’ll know exactly why century is the correct spelling and how to use it naturally and accurately in your writing.
Century or Centurry: Quick Answer
If you only need the answer, remember this:
| Spelling | Correct? | Meaning |
| Century | ✅ Correct | A period of 100 years |
| Centurry | ❌ Incorrect | Misspelling of century |
Century is a standard English noun. Major dictionaries list it as meaning a period of 100 years and, in historical usage, one of the numbered periods used to describe dates. Oxford also lists century with the plural centuries.
Centurry, with two rs, is not the standard spelling.
How Do You Spell Century?
The correct spelling is:
century
Break it down letter by letter:
c-e-n-t-u-r-y
A common mistake is inserting an additional r:
centurry ❌
The correct ending is:
-ury, not -urry.
Century or Centurry in a Sentence
Here are some correct examples:
- The castle is more than a century old.
- The 21st century began in 2001.
- The tradition has continued for centuries.
- The batter scored a century in the match.
None of these sentences should use centurry.
What Does Century Mean?
The primary meaning of century is a period of 100 years. Cambridge Dictionary defines it as a period of 100 years, while Oxford gives the same core definition and also distinguishes the numbered historical use of the word.
For example:
- 100 years = one century
- 200 years = two centuries
- 500 years = five centuries
- 1,000 years = ten centuries
The word can describe any span of 100 years:
The company has been operating for a century.
It can also describe a recognized historical period:
The city changed dramatically during the 19th century.
These uses are related, but they aren’t always identical in context.
Century as Any Period of 100 Years
When century means simply a period of 100 years, the starting point can depend on the context.
For example:
The family has lived in the area for a century.
This means the family has lived there for 100 years.
Likewise:
The building survived for more than a century.
The important idea is the length of time: 100 years.
You can use century with expressions such as:
- a century
- half a century
- a century ago
- for a century
- over a century
- for centuries
- centuries old
Oxford specifically lists common constructions such as for centuries, over the centuries, through the centuries, and centuries old.
Century in Historical Dates
The word century is also used to divide history into periods.
Examples include:
- the 15th century
- the 16th century
- the 17th century
- the 18th century
- the 19th century
- the 20th century
- the 21st century
You will commonly see phrases such as:
The invention transformed life in the 19th century.
The internet became increasingly important during the late 20th century.
Artificial intelligence is playing an important role in the 21st century.
Oxford lists historical centuries as periods of 100 years used in relation to dates and gives the 20th century as 1901–2000 in its definition.
What Years Are in the 21st Century?
The 21st century began on January 1, 2001, and ends on December 31, 2100.
This sometimes causes confusion because people naturally associate the 21st century with the years beginning with 20, such as 2000, 2001, and so on.
However, numbered centuries traditionally begin with a year ending in 01.
The pattern looks like this:
| Century | Years |
| 18th century | 1701–1800 |
| 19th century | 1801–1900 |
| 20th century | 1901–2000 |
| 21st century | 2001–2100 |
So 2000 belonged to the 20th century, while 2001 marked the beginning of the 21st century. Oxford explicitly gives the 20th century as 1901–2000.
Why Was 2000 Not the Start of the 21st Century?
The numbering begins with the 1st century, not the 0th century.
The first century therefore covers years 1 through 100. The second covers 101 through 200. The same pattern continues throughout the calendar.
That means:
- 1st century = years 1–100
- 2nd century = years 101–200
- 20th century = 1901–2000
- 21st century = 2001–2100
This is why the beginning of a century doesn’t line up with a year ending in 00.
Century in Cricket: What Does It Mean?
Century has a second well-established meaning in cricket.
In cricket, a century is a score of 100 runs by one batter in an innings. Both Cambridge and Oxford dictionaries list this sporting meaning.
For example:
The batter scored a century.
This does not mean the batter played for 100 years. It means the player scored 100 runs.
You may also see:
- first century
- second century
- career century
- Test century
- international century
- double century
Examples of Century in Cricket
Consider these sentences:
The opener scored a century before lunch.
Here, century means the batter reached 100 runs.
She scored her first international century.
Again, the word refers to 100 runs.
His century helped his team build a strong total.
The century is the individual batter’s achievement.
The sporting meaning is therefore easy to distinguish from the time-related meaning because the surrounding words make the context clear.
Century vs Half-Century in Cricket
In cricket, a half-century means a score of 50 runs, while a century means 100 runs.
| Cricket term | Meaning |
| Half-century | 50 runs |
| Century | 100 runs |
| Double century | 200 runs |
| Triple century | 300 runs |
The basic dictionary definition of century in cricket is a score of 100 runs.
Century vs Centurry: Spelling Comparison
The difference between the two spellings is simple.
| Feature | Century | Centurry |
| Standard English word | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Number of “r”s before final “y” | One | Two |
| Meaning | 100-year period; 100 runs in cricket | No standard meaning |
| Plural | Centuries | — |
| Suitable for formal writing | Yes | No |
The most important rule is:
Use “century,” not “centurry.”
If you’re writing an essay, article, school assignment, report, email, or historical description, century is the spelling you want.
Why Do People Spell Century as Centurry?
The misspelling centurry is understandable because English spelling does not always follow pronunciation perfectly.
When people hear a word and write it from memory, they may insert an extra consonant. In century, the sequence -tury can be less visually obvious than the familiar spelling of words ending in -ry.
The incorrect version:
centurry
looks as though the word should have a doubled r, but it doesn’t.
The correct form is:
century
This is similar to other spelling errors in which a writer adds a repeated consonant even though the standard spelling contains only one.
How to Remember the Spelling of Century
A simple spelling check is:
CENTU + R + Y
There is only one R.
Think of the final part as:
-ury
not:
-urry
So:
- century ✅
- centurry ❌
This is a spelling aid rather than a rule about English pronunciation. The safest method is still to become familiar with the correct written form.
Century in a Sentence
Understanding the word is easier when you see how it works in ordinary sentences.
Historical Examples
The cathedral was built in the 12th century.
The painting dates from the 17th century.
The 19th century brought major changes to industry and transportation.
The city became an important trading center during the 18th century.
In these examples, century identifies a particular historical period.
General Time Examples
The family has lived in the village for more than a century.
The tradition has survived for centuries.
The tree is believed to be several centuries old.
The building remained standing for nearly a century.
Here, century simply describes a 100-year span or multiple 100-year spans.
Cricket Examples
The batter scored a century in the second innings.
His century gave the team control of the match.
She recorded her first century at the international level.
Here, the context is cricket, so century means a score of 100 runs.
Century vs Centenary: What’s the Difference?
Century and centenary are related words, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.
A century is a period of 100 years.
A centenary is the 100th anniversary of an event, or the celebration of that anniversary. Oxford identifies centenary as the 100th anniversary of an event.
Compare these sentences:
The university is more than a century old.
This means the university has existed for more than 100 years.
The university celebrated its centenary.
This means it celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The distinction is important:
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Century | A period of 100 years | The house is a century old. |
| Centenary | The 100th anniversary | The school celebrated its centenary. |
| Centennial | A 100th anniversary or something relating to 100 years | The city held a centennial celebration. |
In particular, centenary is especially common in British English, while centennial is generally preferred in North American English. Oxford notes this regional distinction directly.
A Simple Way to Remember Century vs Centenary
Think of the difference this way:
Century = 100 years
Centenary = 100th anniversary
For example:
The organization has existed for a century.
The organization celebrated its centenary.
Both sentences can describe the same organization, but they focus on different ideas.
Century vs Centennial
Centennial is another word associated with 100 years.
Oxford describes centennial as referring to the 100th anniversary of an event and notes that it is especially common in North American English, while British English generally uses centenary.
For example:
The school celebrated its centennial.
This means the school celebrated its 100th anniversary.
By contrast:
The school has been operating for a century.
This focuses on the length of time.
A useful comparison is:
| Expression | Focus |
| A century | 100 years |
| A centenary | 100th anniversary |
| A centennial | 100th anniversary, especially in North American English |
Century vs Decade vs Millennium
The words decade, century, and millennium all describe periods of time, but they represent different lengths.
| Term | Length |
| Decade | 10 years |
| Century | 100 years |
| Millennium | 1,000 years |
The relationship is straightforward:
10 years = 1 decade
10 decades = 1 century
For example, if a historic building has existed for 30 years, it has existed for three decades. If it has existed for 300 years, it has existed for three centuries. If something spans 1,000 years, it spans one millennium.
Cambridge lists decade, century, and millennium among vocabulary associated with periods of time.
Examples
- The company has operated for three decades.
- The bridge has stood for a century.
- The civilization existed for several centuries.
- The tradition survived for a millennium.
Choosing the right term depends on the length of time you’re describing.
What Is the Plural of Century?
The plural of century is centuries.
So:
one century → two centuries
Not:
one century → two centurys ❌
Oxford explicitly gives centuries as the plural form of century.
How Does Century Change to Centuries?
The spelling changes from:
century
to:
centuries
The y changes to ies.
This follows a common English plural pattern for certain nouns ending in a consonant + y.
Compare:
| Singular | Plural |
| century | centuries |
| city | cities |
| country | countries |
| library | libraries |
| story | stories |
So the correct sentence is:
The tradition has continued for centuries.
Not:
The tradition has continued for centurys.
Century or Centuries in a Sentence
Use century when referring to one:
The building is more than a century old.
Use centuries when referring to more than one:
The building has survived for centuries.
Use centuries after expressions such as:
- many centuries
- several centuries
- for centuries
- over the centuries
- through the centuries
Oxford lists these types of constructions in its usage information for century.
Common Mistakes With Century
The most common errors aren’t limited to centurry. Writers may also make mistakes with the plural or with century numbering.
Mistake: Writing “Centurry”
❌ The castle is more than a centurry old.
✅ The castle is more than a century old.
The incorrect version contains an unnecessary second r.
Mistake: Writing “Centurys”
❌ The tradition has existed for centurys.
✅ The tradition has existed for centuries.
The plural form is centuries, not centurys.
Mistake: Confusing the 20th and 21st Centuries
❌ The 21st century ended in 2000.
✅ The 20th century ended in 2000.
The 21st century began in 2001.
Mistake: Confusing Century With Centenary
❌ The company celebrated its century in 2025.
If you mean its 100th anniversary, a more precise expression would be:
✅ The company celebrated its centenary in 2025.
Or, in North American English:
✅ The company celebrated its centennial in 2025.
The exact wording depends on what you want to emphasize.
Is Century Spelled Differently in British and American English?
No.
Century is spelled the same way in both British and American English.
There is no standard British form such as centurry or another alternative spelling.
| English variety | Correct spelling |
| American English | century |
| British English | century |
| Canadian English | century |
| Australian English | century |
The plural is also the same:
centuries
So you don’t need to choose between different regional spellings when writing this word.
Century: Pronunciation and Part of Speech
Century is a noun.
Cambridge gives the pronunciation as approximately /ˈsen.tʃə.ri/ in both British and American English, with regional pronunciation details. Oxford gives /ˈsentʃəri/.
The word is commonly pronounced roughly like:
SEN-chuh-ree
Its grammatical forms are simple:
| Feature | Form |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| Singular | century |
| Plural | centuries |
| Correct spelling | century |
| Incorrect spelling | centurry |
Examples:
A century has passed.
Several centuries have passed.
In both cases, century functions as a noun.
The Origin of the Word Century
The history of century helps explain why the word is connected to the number 100.
Oxford traces the word to Late Middle English, when it originally referred to a company in the ancient Roman army consisting of about 100 men. It came through Latin centuria, from centum, meaning “hundred.” Oxford also notes that the time-related sense dates from the early 17th century.
This gives the word a useful historical progression:
Latin centum → centuria → century
The underlying idea of one hundred has remained central to the word.
The modern time-related meaning is therefore not arbitrary. It developed from an older use associated with groups of one hundred.
Century in Historical Writing
The word appears frequently in history because historians divide long periods into centuries.
You might encounter:
- ancient centuries
- medieval centuries
- the 12th century
- the late 15th century
- the early 18th century
- the 19th century
- the 20th century
- the 21st century
It is also common to combine a century with an adjective:
- 19th-century architecture
- 20th-century literature
- 21st-century technology
- 18th-century painting
Notice that when century becomes part of a compound adjective before a noun, it is commonly written in the singular:
21st-century technology
not:
21st-centuries technology
This distinction is useful in academic and professional writing.
Early, Mid-, and Late Century
Writers often divide centuries into approximate portions.
For example:
- early 19th century
- mid-19th century
- late 19th century
These expressions don’t necessarily refer to exact fixed years. They are general descriptions of where something occurred within a century.
For instance:
The building was constructed in the early 19th century.
This tells the reader the approximate historical period without giving an exact year.
The Meaning of “Turn of the Century”
Another common expression is the turn of the century.
It refers to the period when one century ends and another begins. Cambridge defines the expression as the time when one century ends and another begins.
However, the exact century intended depends on context.
For example:
The city expanded rapidly at the turn of the 20th century.
This generally points to the period around the transition from the 19th to the 20th century.
The phrase can also be used for more recent transitions:
Technology changed rapidly around the turn of the 21st century.
The surrounding context tells the reader which transition is meant.
Century: Useful Facts at a Glance
Here are the most important facts about the word:
| Fact | Answer |
| Correct spelling | Century |
| Common misspelling | Centurry |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| Primary meaning | A period of 100 years |
| Plural | Centuries |
| Cricket meaning | A score of 100 runs |
| British spelling | Century |
| American spelling | Century |
| 21st century | 2001–2100 |
| 20th century | 1901–2000 |
| Related anniversary word | Centenary / centennial |
These facts cover the main spelling, grammar, historical, and usage questions surrounding century.
Practical Examples: Century or Centurry?
Here are some examples showing exactly when to use the correct spelling.
Example: Historical Period
The castle was constructed in the 14th century.
Correct because the sentence refers to a historical period.
Example: Age of Something
The bridge has stood for more than a century.
Correct because the bridge has existed for more than 100 years.
Example: Multiple Periods
The tradition has survived for centuries.
Correct because the sentence refers to multiple periods of 100 years.
Example: Cricket
The batter scored a century in the final innings.
Correct because the player scored 100 runs.
Example: Compound Adjective
The museum contains several important 19th-century paintings.
Correct because 19th-century modifies paintings.
Incorrect Example
The tradition has survived for more than a centurry.
Incorrect because centurry is not the standard spelling.
The corrected version is:
The tradition has survived for more than a century.
A Simple Case Study: Choosing the Correct Word
Imagine you’re writing this sentence:
The old theater has been operating for more than a centurry.
You recognize that you’re describing a period of 100 years. The correct noun is century.
So the sentence becomes:
The old theater has been operating for more than a century.
Now consider a different sentence:
The theater celebrated its 100th anniversary.
If you want a single word for that 100th anniversary, centenary or centennial may be appropriate depending on regional English.
So:
- A century → a period of 100 years
- A centenary → the 100th anniversary
- A centennial → the 100th anniversary, especially in North American English
The words are related, but substituting them blindly can change the meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Century or Centurry
Is “Centurry” a Correct Spelling?
No. Centurry is a misspelling. The correct spelling is century.
Is It Century or Centurry?
It is century.
The correct spelling contains only one r:
c-e-n-t-u-r-y
What Does Century Mean?
A century is a period of 100 years. The word can also describe a specific historical period of 100 years, such as the 20th or 21st century. In cricket, it means a score of 100 runs by one batter.
What Is the Plural of Century?
The plural of century is centuries.
Example:
Many centuries have passed since the city was founded.
Is “Centurys” Correct?
No. The correct plural is centuries, not centurys. Oxford lists centuries as the plural form.
Is Century the Same in British and American English?
Yes. Century is spelled the same in British and American English.
What Is the Difference Between Century and Centenary?
A century is a period of 100 years.
A centenary is the 100th anniversary of an event or organization.
For example:
The building is a century old.
means the building is 100 years old.
The organization celebrated its centenary.
means it celebrated its 100th anniversary.
What Is the Difference Between Century and Centennial?
Both relate to 100-year anniversaries. Centennial is especially common in North American English, while centenary is especially common in British English.
When Did the 21st Century Begin?
The 21st century began in 2001 and runs through 2100.
The 20th century ran from 1901 through 2000.
What Does Century Mean in Cricket?
In cricket, a century is a score of 100 runs by one batter in an innings.
How Do You Spell Century?
The correct spelling is:
C-E-N-T-U-R-Y
A useful spelling reminder is that century has one “r,” not two.
Is “Centurry” a Different Word?
No. In standard English, centurry is not a separate word with a different meaning. It is simply an incorrect spelling of century.
Century or Centurry: Final Answer
If you’re deciding between century or centurry, the answer is straightforward:
Century is correct. Centurry is incorrect.
Use century when referring to:
- A period of 100 years
- A historical period such as the 19th or 21st century
- A 100-run score in cricket
Its plural form is centuries, not centurys.
The key spelling to remember is:
CENTURY — one R before Y.
Once you remember that simple pattern, you can avoid the most common spelling mistake.
Whether you’re writing about history, describing how old a building is, discussing a long-standing tradition, or talking about a cricket score, century is the standard spelling you should use.
